Rotary kite



May 28, 1957 Filed March 2, 1955 E. B, BRUMFIELD ROTARY KITE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Elmer B. Brumfield INVENTOR.

AT TORNEY.

y 28, 1957 B. BRUMFIELD 2,793,829

ROTARY KITE Filed March 2, 195; 2 Sheefs-Sheet 2 Elmer B. Brumfield.

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 7 ROTARY KITE Elmer B. Brumfield, Stephenville, Tex.

Application March 2, 1953, Serial No. 339,671 3 Claims. 01. 244-153 This invention relates to toy or novelty flying devices,

and it has particular reference to a rotary kite capable of being controlled or retained in tow by a cord or kitestring, and its principal object resides in the provision of a light and compact structure which embodies a body member on which is pivotally supported a rotor having a plurality of blades capable of functioning in the manner of a helicopter and to raise the device and keep it airborne, a counter-balance being provided, if desirable, to properly stabilize the structure in flight. I

Another object of the invention is that of providing a simple arrangement of parts by which the rotor element is flexible and capable of resisting substantial abuse, rendering the device relatively crash-proof not readily damaged when allowed to fall to the ground in attempts to fly the device.

It is an object of the invention to provide a structure comprising few parts, which may be formed from light wood or plastics, and a minimum of metal parts, to eliminate such hazards as contacts with overhead electric wires, or the like, where metal materials may provide electrical conductors, or draw lightning when airborne.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a helicopter-type of kite structure which can be dismantled and packed in a kit for hobbyists, and obtainable in toy or hobby shops, and assembled without the aid of tools or securing devices.

While the foregoing objects are paramount other and lesser objects Will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the invention in its operative or flight position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device, showing the propeller construction and assembly.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through one of the propeller blades, on lines 3-3- of Figure 2, illustrating the manner of attachment and pitch of the blades.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the hub for the propeller assembly, showing a portion cut away to illustrate the yoke member for connecting the string, and

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view through the hub illustrating the spindle structure and its association with the hub.

The invention accordingly comprises a body which is formed with a spindle column 11 constituting its for ward portion and which is in an oblique arrangement when the device is in operative position, as illustrated in Figure l. The tail portion 12 of the body 10 extends at an angle with respect to the spindle column 11 and has an axial bore therein to receive a dowel 14, on the opposite end of which is arranged a stabilizing rod and handle 15 which depends vertically while the invention is in flight, as in Figures 1 and 5. Forwardly of the body 10 is a bracket 16 on which is formed an integral head 17 having a pair of parallel spaced bores therein adapted to receive the ends 18 of the legs 19 of a tensioned wire loop 20. The bores in the member 17 are parallel with p I 2,793,829 Patented May 28, 1957 I the, axis of the spindle column 11, as apparent in Figure 5,

, velocities vary. It will be noted, by reference to Figure 1, that the outer ends of the blades 31, with the ring 34, are in a plane above the plane of their attachment to the hub 26, and when this condition occurs, the loop 20 will flex to the dotted line position shown in Figure 5. The flexibility of the member 20, therefore, will allow for certain movements of the kite at different wind velocities. Since the blades 31 are relatively long in proportion to their thickness, a limited amount of movement of ring 34 relative to hub 26 may occur in flight. However when this occurs and also when wind gusts tend to change the attitude of the rotary kite from its normal flight attitude (as shown inFig. 1 to be approximately 45), then the tension placed on loop 20 will return the kite to its normal attitude when the wind gusts have subsided.

' The loop 20, which is substantially U-shaped, is somewhat flexible and affords a medium by which the control line or string 21 is attached to the assembly througha yoke 22, also of wire, and a clip 23 which joins the yoke 22 to the loop 20 in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 5. The outer end of the yoke 22 has a hook 24 formed thereon to which the string 21 is secured. i v

' A spindle 2,5 is journalled in the spindle column 11 providing' a rotative mounting for the rotor assembly which consists of a hub 26 which is circular and substantially bowl-shaped, as illustrated in Figure 5, but whose plane surfaces are at right angles to the peripheral depending flange. concentrically of the member 26 are opposing bosses 27 and 28 having a central bore in which a bearing 29 is arranged to receive the spindle 25. The hub 26 is therefore freely rotative on the spindle 25.

Formed about the periphery of the hub 26, and integral with the flange thereof, are a plurality of equidistantly spaced sets of ears 30 whose opposing plane surfaces are spaced to receive the inner ends of a series of radial blades 31 which are secured by pins or rivets 32 arranged through apertures 33 in the members 30. The blades 31 are slightly tapered inwardly, as indicated in Figure 2, and have a slight angle with respect to the plane surfaces of the hub 26, and the plane of the outer ring 34 securing the outer ends of the blades 31, as shown in the fragmentary illustration in Figure 3. The form of the blades 31, however, can be varied according to the particular requirements. Obviously, these members may be tapered outwardly if desired.

It is apparent that the opposing faces of the ears 30 about the hub 26 should be slightly oblique, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5, to provide the proper angle for the blades 31, as shown in Figure 3. The ring 34 also has a series of spaced sets of ears 35 whose opposing surfaces are in a slightly angular plane to conform to the members 30 of the hub 26, and the outer ends of the blades 31 are attached to the members 35 by rivets 36 arranged through apertures therein and in the cars 35. Both ends of the blades 31 are tapered sharply to materially reduce the inner and outer tips 37 and 38 and these are reenforced at 39 and 40, respectively, since it is desirable to form the blades 31 from a very light material.

The hub 26 is rotatively secured on the spindle 25 by a stud 41, or other suitable device, threaded into the outer end of the spindle 25, and it is desirable to provide washers 42 and 43 on each side of the hub 26 to afford a suitable bearing assembly, as shown in Figure 5. Obviously, the body 10, the hub 26, the blades 31 and outer ring 34 can be formed of plastic, if desired, and in a variety of different colors. The stabilizing member or handle 15 can. be of any desired length or weight, for proper balance, and may have an adjustable weight 44 thereon, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, if such device is deemed necessary.

Manifestly, the structure herein shown and described is capable of certain changes and modifications, by persons skilled in the art, without departing from-the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1 In a rotary kite adapted to be controlled bya line attached thereto, in combination, a body member formed with a spindle column and an integral head formed on said body member, a tail portion formed on said body member opposite said head, a flexible wire loop secured in said head and having a yoke member connected thereto providing a bridle for attaching a line to said body member, and a rotor mounted for rotation on said spindle column, the said rotor comprising a hub having radial blades thereon connected at their outer ends by a ring, and said rotor having a tip path plane disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of saidtail portion.

2. In a rotary kite adapted for control by a line attached thereto, in combination, an elongated body mem' ber comprising a spindle column having a tail portion formed therewith and extending at an angle therefrom, a head integrally connected to said body member opposite said tail portion, a yoke member flexibly connected to said head for attaching a line to said body member, a rotor comprising a hub, having a series of radial blades thereon, rotatively supported on said body member, and a circular member connecting the outer ends of said blades, said tail portion depending from said body memher in a vertical plane when said rotary kite is in flight, and said rotor blades during rotation describing a tip path plane" disposed angnlarly with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tail portion.

3. In a rotary kite of the character described having means thereon for securing a control line, in combination, a body having a portion supporting a spindle, a tail portion on said body, said spindle forming an acute angle with respect to said tail portion, a head portion formed with said body opposite said tail portion, a flexible loop secured to said body in said head portion, and a yoke member attached to said loop whereby to secure a line to said body, a rotor on said spindle having a hub and a radial arrangement of blades on said hub, and a ring circumscribing said rotor and' connecting' the outer ends of said blades.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 157,652 Whitehurst Mar. 7, 1950 96,550 Clark Nov. 9, 1869 1,820,467 Liska Aug. 25, 1931 2,086,361 Kaszas July 6, 1937 2,181,477 Chupp Nov. 28, 1939 2,429,502 Young Oct. 21, 1947' 2,471,544 Ring May 31, 1949 2,484,316 Simons Oct. 11, 1949 2,537,393 Bisch Jan. 9, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 815,811 France Apr. 19, 1937 

